The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1887-09-09
THE ONLY FEMALE. MAYOR IN THE
UNITED STATES.

Argonia, Kansas, Is the only town In
America which ever elected woman te
the Office OF Mayor. She Is alone In a dis.
tinction that represents another step In the
steady advance OF liberal ideas regarding
womaii's work IN society
Mayor Saiter's snaiden name was Susan.
na Madora Kinsey. She was born OF par.
ents who were members Of the Society Of
Friends, on farm near Lamira, Belmont
county, Ohio, In the year 1850. In 1879,
when she was II years old, she removed
with her parents 10 farm twelve miles
west of Topeka, Kansas, which progress
I've State has consequently more property
In her than any other commonwealth. She
was married woman when, about four
years ago. she and her husband removed
10 ArgonIa. In 1873 and 1879 she attend.
- tho Kansas State Industrial Colsege,
Manhattan. where Louis A. SaIter, son OF
4 lleutenant.governor Of the State, 10 whom
she was married In 1880, was fellow .stu.
dent. Owing 70 III health Miss Kinaey did
not graduate, but left college for home IN
the early part Of 1880. When. In ieS3,her
fathers family removed TO Argonia. she
and her husband went with them. The
place was settlement OF ouakers, and It's
first Mayor was Oliver Kinsey her respect.
ed father. After enduring considerable
hardship Mrs. Salter and her husband be.
gan TO prosper IN business. From All early
date In her time Of residence a, Argonla,
its present chief magistrate was buay
woman In public matters She and her
heipmeet were prominent In organizing a
Bapsis, Church, and - her l. largely due
the origin OF a aourishIng branch of ihe
Woman's Christian Temperance Union
Tier husband i lawyer and has a real ca.
tate business. The couple have four chill.
dren, three boys and girl. the eIdes, Of
whom Is about six years old.
Mayor Salter was elected last Spring.
Little interest being shown in the duty by
tho citizens Of AFgonia up 10 nearly the
day fixed for them to choose their Mayor,
only two days before elecslon.a meeting of
the W. G. r. Z. was called. as which can.
dldate for Mayor and i've conncIlmen
were named. Early on election day morn.
ing an nsl.Prohibltloniss. thinking i.
joke. ordered some tickets 10 be printed
with the FIVE councilmen on II a. named
at the sonen's meeting. but substituting
Mrs. Salter's name for that Of their eandi.
date for Mayor Her friends having pro.
cured her consent 20 serve II elected, sci
to work and accomplished what had been
proposed a an ill.natured joke. Anti.
ProhIhlsionist aud his allies.s 70 use taomc.
y saying.were made to laugh On the other
side Of their mouth. Argonia elected
female Mayor. mho Il the head OF an ef.
iicicns administration, but one hardly a.
progressive ~ she desires 10 be. IIeg ana.
iety Tor local improvements i checked by
the parsimony Of her councilmen. Mrs.
Saiter's salary Is STA year.
The Mayor Of Argonia i abou, fise feet
three and half inches in heigh,h. She i
thin and Of al active temperament. Her
eyes are gray, and her crimpcd hair Of
blonde shade. The cares ofoflice induced
her 20 engage the services OF domestic,
bat otherwise her arrangements ai home
arc ~ they were before her election 10 be
the chief person IL population of sbou,
five hundred. She learned drcssmaking
while at College, and makes her Own and
her childrcn's clothing. Alrs. Salter was
busy at the wasbsub when her consent
was gained % serve as Mayor II elected